XLR Northstar and Reliability

[Bryan J Moran]

My wife is selling her retirement present to herself, a 2020 Camaro SS with some modifications. It's a 6 speed.  We are selling it for more than she bought it for.  It's a hardtop coupe. 

She and I want a GT level convertible to go on 3 day weekends and ice cream runs.  Maybe 2500 miles a year.   

I read the XLR has a Northstar.  We don't want the - V.  Just the normal Northstar.  Are these going to last with maintenance 10-15 years?  Or are XLRs plagued with the usual Cadillac and GM issues that keep people away from ownership? 

There are quite a few on facebook marketplace. 

[59-in-pieces]

Bryan,

I have owned my XLR since new (red outside and black inside - wanted the metallic blue but couldn't find one anywhere - so settled on red "cliche") and I can say that it is the most fun car I've ever owned.

Why, because it is both a coupe and convertible after it does it's origami, top up & down routine.
And the fact that it goes like a bat out of hell. in speed and handling.

Most importantly, my wife and I look good driving it.

Now as for my early experience when first I got it out of the box - I drove it like I stole it.
And learned that the intake manifold was "plastic" and there were tubes around the bolts to keep from over tightening, which were ever so slightly too long and did not provide a good seal with the block and air sucked in and threw off the air intake sensor and the engine STOPPED.
The anti-tightening tubes were modified and the car was and has been good to go - and fast.

As far as those short jaunts with your wife are concerned, once the top is hidden in the trunk about all that is left is room for a Kleenex box - forget an overnight piece of luggage.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[jdemerson]

Bryan,

Some comments about the Northstar engines, and the gradual improvements to them.

Northstars were known to be problematic in the 1990s. There was some good progress with the Northstar for the 2001 model year. But there were further important improvements for 2005 and beyond. If I were buying a Cadillac Northstar, I'd want it to be 2005 or later.  Here are some details from the web (multiple sources say much the same):

The head gasket issues were most prevalent in the Northstar engines from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, Cadillac tried to address this issue by increasing the lengths of these bolts. This actually helped to reduce the chances of blowing a gasket but it did not eliminate it.

In 2004, they finally replaced the notorious bolts. They were swapped with LS6 head bolts which were longer than the original bolts and featured a coarser thread. Due to this modification, the 2005-2011 Northstar engines had fewer gasket issues. In fact, it was no less reliable than other aluminum V8 engines.

I would not hesitate to buy a well-maintained XLR with the Northstar.

John Emerson
1952 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan 6219X

[Clewisiii]

I don't know how much of a problem it is. But I was lead to believe that a headlight replacement was cost prohibitive.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

XLR taillights are insanely expensive as well- as in thousands for a pair.

RE Northstar: The years 1997 to 1999 are widely considered the most problematic. Improvements were made in 2000 and again in 2004/2005 however I've come across HG failure in a 2007 but it is rare.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Always wanted one but I'll just admire them from afar.

[Bryan J Moran]

XLR taillights are insanely expensive as well- as in thousands for a pair.

RE Northstar: The years 1997 to 1999 are widely considered the most problematic. Improvements were made in 2000 and again in 2004/2005 however I've come across HG failure in a 2007 but it is rare.

So 1. Don't get hit in the rear and 2. Find an XLR in a salvage yard. 

[James Landi]

These are magnificent machines--- you can purchase a lightly used, low mileage one for 20K, but get one that has low. low mileage, has the six speed tranny 2006-2009, and has a great Car-fax that shows you careful and regular preventative maintenance...they are truly durable, and with care and proper storage, you'll enjoy  a marvelous ownership experience.  Kristina and I owned one for six years.  If you'd like a more detailed evaluation, PM me. 

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

So 1. Don't get hit in the rear and 2. Find an XLR in a salvage yard. 

1. Failure in LED circuitry unrelated to collision damage.
2. Not many XLR in boneyard and taillights would be the first thing harvested. And even then, there's no guarantee they're working.